Rick Pluta
Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network.
He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
Rick was one of the first Michigan political reporters to write about “pay-to-play” fundraising, and the controversies surrounding recognition of same-sex relationships. He broke the news that Gov. John Engler was planning a huge juvenile justice overhaul that included adult-time-for-adult-crime sentencing, and has continued to report since then on the effects of that policy decision.
He co-hosted the weekly segment “It’s Just Politics” on Michigan Radio with Zoe Clark.
Rick is fascinated by the game of politics, and the grand plans and human foibles that go into policy-making. You will never find him ice-fishing.
Follow him on Twitter at @rickpluta
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The 8th House District is considered one of the nation’s most competitive on the November ballot. It will be critical in determining which party controls the U.S. House in the congressional term that begins next year.
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The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to consider a case where the state Department of Health and Human Services wants to take temporary custody of a troubled child. Lower courts have split on whether the state has the authority to do that.
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The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether schools can be sued for failing to protect students from sexual harassment by other students.The family of an Alpena Public Schools student is suing the district under Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
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The bill lists a wide variety of illegal election fraud, influence or voter threat convictions that would disqualify a person from serving on the state or county canvassing boards that confirm vote tallies.
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The Michigan Court of Appeals has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Flint election officials by the Michigan Republican Party and the Republican National Committee.
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A reduction last year in the state income tax rate was temporary, according to a unanimous ruling Thursday by a three-judge Michigan Court of Appeals panel.
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Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped very slightly during January to 4%, according to numbers released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget.
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A state House committee held its first hearing Tuesday on proposed amendments to Michigan’s exoneration law. One of the bills would allow defendants who pleaded guilty to ask a court to order DNA tests as part of an effort to reverse a conviction.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer will consider whether to act under a rarely used state law to dismiss public officials for misconduct.
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Former President Donald Trump swept Michigan Republican caucuses held this weekend in Grand Rapids. That’s despite a bitter rift in the GOP over a change in the state party leadership.